Appearing with Taylor Rooks on her Bleacher Report show, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban cited Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins as the difference in the Western Conference Finals. Wiggins was outstanding in the five-game series, averaging 18.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per night while shooting 46.2% from the field.
“It was just guys who knew their roles, like an Andrew Wiggins,” Cuban said. “I think he was the one who beat us. And I told him that after the series, you know? We knew what to expect from Klay (Thompson), from (Stephen Curry) and from Draymond (Green). We didn’t know what to expect or how Wiggs would step up, and he did.”
Cuban doesn’t believe there’s a huge talent disparity between his team and the eventual NBA champions, but he said Golden State benefited from having its core together for so many years.
“I think the Warriors deserve a lot of credit because they had played together so long, their execution was phenomenal,” he said. “… That wasn’t as much talent as it was corporate knowledge, the experience of having played together for all those years and been in crunch situations knowing what to do.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Now that LeBron James has agreed to an extension, the Lakers‘ best strategy may be to commit to trying to win a championship this season instead of targeting 2024 or 2025, contends Jovan Buha of The Athletic. Buha believes James’ decision on the extension was tied to a promise from management to be aggressive about improving the roster. Sources around the team had been confident that James would eventually commit to a longer stay with the Lakers, Buha adds.
- The Lakers may have doomed themselves to more years of mediocrity with the James extension, writes Bill Plaschke of The Los Angeles Times. He argues that James isn’t good enough to carry a team to a title anymore, while Anthony Davis is too injury-prone and James’ deal ensures that the franchise won’t have enough cap room to add another star while he’s still around.
- Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee examines the Kings‘ schedule to see whether it will help or hurt their effort to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
No one is more hated in LA, than Bill Plaschke. He deserves all the hate too. The Lakers didn’t have much choice in re-signing Lebron. Bill is just clickbaiting.
he’s not wrong though. LA doesn’t have enough assets to bring in any difference makers
Not really sure why you have a problem with what he says though? Dude is almost 40 and the next best player is in street clothes more than his lakers jersey and there’s a guy making 47 million they can’t unload and isn’t good at basketball anymore.
Please explain to us ANY situation where the Lakers become even the 4th best team in the west with this current situation? (Short of wishing for injuries or ridiculous lopsided trades no team is taking)
If LeBron really wanted to win he would the Brady route and take a team friendly deal so they can pay other dudes to play with him. Seeing as how he is a billionaire he could afford it. But he didn’t.
It should be EXTREMELY obvious that LeBron & ADavis are far more hated than Bill Plaschke who very few ppl care about at all. Just read a few of these comments for proof. And it should be even more obvious that Russell Westbrook catches the most hate
His article seemed logical, sometimes Laker fan, the truth hurts.
Well, there goes the LeBron to the Cavs rumors. Maybe we can go get Wiggins like that other rumor suggested we would.
LAL should go out and trade for Kyrie. The man can shoot. Has awesome handles. Clutch shooting. Not injury prone. Shoot for the stars.
Kymie would make the Lakers team better. But “not injury prone” seems wrong.
MIA-Prone is probably more accurate.
Cuban is the 2nd person associated with a losing team to disrespect GSW’s “talent” (the other being Grant Williams).
They just can’t stand to think that the better team won.
It all stems from Curry-hate, even after he relentlessly proves them wrong and hangs L after L on their heads. Truly horrible basketball analysis, Luka should request a trade if the owner is so clueless not to bow to 30 like he absolutely should. Wiggins was the 4th best player on GSW those Finals, we all watched it. Even GP2 was as important as Wiggins.
Cuban said all that for 1 reason he wants Wiggins to sign with Mavs in the off season. Just watch him throw a max contract at Wiggins this off season. This is player tampering and GSW should complain since their owner got fined for less.
They could just outsource the complaining to you for free!
Mavs cant spend a dime next year of free cap; but yea Cubans working that max angle today.
As always, Spotrac can be your friend
“We knew what to expect from the greatest player of all time: Curry was going to wreck us. But Wiggins, he was the one who -actually- beat us.”
The anti-Curry squad just obnoxious at this point, you lost long ago and keep lying about who it was who “really” beat you. It was Curry. It is always, 100% of the time, Curry. Stop lying.
As a Celtics fan and having just watched the Finals, Curry could be the best player in the league. I was shocked whenever he missed! He’s as close to automatic as anyone!!
Kyrie is the best the Lakers will get. He’ll play in LA now cause it’s coverage. And solid chance to win a ring with Lakers. Kyrie is in his prime. And should be WELL rested …..
From Lakers view. Westbrook has to be part of this trade. So the Nets will need a third team. Or could just buy him out. And go for full rebuild next yr. Excellent draft next yr.